When car crashes occur, drivers generally have an obligation to stop. They should check on other drivers to ensure everyone receives appropriate emergency care. They should also report the crash to state authorities in many cases.
If there are significant property damage losses, injuries or an uninsured motorist, then filing a formal police report is typically mandatory. Some drivers do not want to wait for the police or take responsibility for a crash. Instead, they may drive off after causing a wreck.
Why do motorists flee after causing collisions when the law requires that they stop?
The driver shouldn’t be on the road
Many times, drivers flee collision scenes because they cannot risk getting caught. Maybe they have a suspended driver’s license because of a prior traffic incident. They may recognize that they are at risk of numerous consequences should the state learn that they drove with a suspended license.
Maybe they have a license, but they allowed their liability insurance coverage to lapse. Financial struggles can leave people unable to pay their monthly insurance premiums. Insurance companies may cancel policies when drivers have not paid their premiums as they should.
In some cases, the driver might even be in a stolen vehicle or in a vehicle that they do not have permission to operate. Any of those factors can make drivers feel like they need to flee the scene of a crash.
The driver doesn’t want to face the consequences
Sometimes, drivers cause crashes through overtly irresponsible behavior. They send a text immediately before rear-ending another vehicle, and they realize that police officers are likely to hold them accountable for that mistake. They know that they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and do not want to risk criminal prosecution.
Even if they simply committed a minor traffic infraction that leads to a ticket, they may not want to deal with the aftermath of a citation. Drivers may worry about increased insurance premiums and the possibility of a personal injury lawsuit. If the motorist has a commercial driver’s license (CDL), they might worry about losing their main source of income.
How can drivers handle a hit-and-run?
Regardless of why another motorist leaves the scene of a crash, there are options available to the other people involved in the incident. People involved in hit-and-run collisions typically need to report the matter to law enforcement.
If police officers can identify the other driver, the affected parties may be able to pursue an insurance claim or a lawsuit. In some cases, those involved in hit-and-run collisions may be able to use their own insurance to cover collision costs if they carry appropriate coverage.
Those attempting to address the aftermath of hit-and-run collisions often need assistance learning about their options. Reviewing the crash report and related expenses can help those involved in hit-and-run wrecks determine how to respond effectively.